Matt Hagan is failing miserably in only one aspect this year. He is failing to run like a rookie.

Hagan continues to lead the pack of NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contenders with his solid performances in each of the five national NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series so far. He's consistently moved up the ladder; initially by winning his first round in the second event, then landing in the semifinals in the third. Sunday during the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, he stepped it up even further and reached his first final round of his short career, ending the day as runner-up to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

His solid run launched him into second in the Funny Car point standings, and he's now 106 points behind Capps.

Hagan's charge through the field in the Shelor.com Dodge included a dismissal of Bob Bode (4.144/291.45), his DSR teammate Jack Beckman (4.215/298.73) and Cruz Pedregon (4.200/302.41) before facing Capps with lane choice in his arsenal.

Matt Hagan is failing miserably in only one aspect this year. He is failing to run like a rookie.

The first year NHRA Funny Car racer continues to lead the pack of NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year contenders with his solid performances in each of the five national NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series so far. He's consistently moved up the ladder; initially by winning his first round in the second event, then landing in the semifinals in the third. Sunday during the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, he stepped it up even further and reached his first final round of his short career, ending the day as runner-up to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

His solid run launched him into second in the Funny Car point standings, and he's now 106 points behind Capps.

Hagan's charge through the field in the Shelor.com Dodge included a dismissal of Bob Bode (4.144/291.45), his DSR teammate Jack Beckman (4.215/298.73) and Cruz Pedregon (4.200/302.41) before facing Capps with lane choice in his arsenal.

"It's been an absolutely solid weekend for us," said Hagan, 26. "We moved up to second in points. I would love to have won, but, on the flip side, it will come. I think you have to pay your dues sometimes and I think that's what we're doing right now. We're learning as we go and I feel like I've learned a lot this weekend. I'm going to take it back and try to use it at the next event.

"I'm so excited. Congratulations to Ron Capps. They've got a solid team over there and they've proven themselves this year, for sure. They're going to be a tough competitor out here. I'm just glad to be here.

"The reason we were so good today is that we have Tommy DeLago tuning the car," he added when asked that question. "He's solid out here and he's definitely proven himself as a crew chief by getting us into the Funny Car final.

"Any of the 16 drivers out here could have won. You just have to be in it to win it. They were all tough. I have so much confidence in Tommy. I feel like he's helping me as a driver. Against Cruz he was giving me some pointers. That's what I need as a driver and I think we can bounce stuff off of each other and learn from each other."
 

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